WEST COAST RUN

Today is Friday, Feb. 5th and it has been quite a week so far.  At times it was probably a little more adventure than we had in mind but all in all a great run down the coast.

SUNDAY - We left Fisherman's Village starting out with a nice sail down Charlotte Harbor to the ICW (InterCoastal Waterway).  

Our good bye crew!

We motored down to St. James City at the southern tip of Pine Island where we found 2 other boats from our marina anchored as well, S/V Edelweiss and S/V Endless Summer.  We put down the hook and were later joined by our other Fishville friends Mike and Suzi on S/V Night Shift. We were all pretty tired from the festivities from the night before so just stayed "home" and called it an early night.  

MONDAY - The floatilla took off at 7 AM. We were traversing the Miserable Mile at 7:30 when there were no other boats.  It gets its name from the fact that there are ususally hundreds of boats traversing the shallow mile, churning it up and it is not pleasant.  Got past Fort Myers and no wind so motored all the way to Marco Island.  Cool Runnings took a slip at the marina in Factory Bay and Sea Pearl and Free Bird anchored.  We all needed some shore leave so went in to the Snook Inn where more than a few beverages were consumed.  Cool Runnings had 4 passengers on board (visiting friends of Gary and Judy's) who were along for the run down to Marathon.

Free Bird and Sea Pearl Captains

Crew of S/V Sea Pearl

Temporary crew of S/V Cool Runnings

Not sure this one needs a caption

OK yes, we had 4 margaritas!

Captain of Cool Runnings

Group shot

TUESDAY - Woke to FOG - I mean lots of it!  

Had planned to leave at 7AM again but ended up waiting until after 8.  It wasn't great but it was better.  Cool Runnings was the only one with radar (ours is on the blink - it's always something...) so they lead the way out.  And of course right when we go to leave the Key West Express who was supposed to leave at 8 and didn't, decides to head out.  Hearing that BIG boat churning towards you from behind and not seeing them is kind of scary! We headed to the port side of the channel and I called on the radio to let them know what we were doing.  Glad once they got by as it was hard enough maneuvering in the fog let alone worrying about them.  At least Gary had 6 pairs of eyes keeping watch on his boat and the radar.  Once we got offshore a bit we went in and out of fog for quite a few miles.  Made for a very exciting start to our day that's for sure.  With too little wind or what there was on the nose, it was another motoring day.  Plus dodging crab pots of course!    

Made it into Little Shark River in the Everglades just before sunset and got comfortably anchored.  And then...the mosquitoes arrived and they were hungry!  John and I had buttoned every hatch up before entering the river so we were OK.  It was a shame but we had to go down below almost as soon as we got there.  I was able to snap a few pics though.

Spoonbills just off to starboard

Awesome sunset

Lots of swing room!

More of spoonbills

Unfortunately Cool Runnings hatches were all open and they did NOT have a restful night.  Heard alot of merry-making but they got chowed!  They were 1st to pull up anchor saying they had to "get out of this Hell Hole".  The mosquitoes were big and black and everywhere as we pulled up and took off.  It was definitely time to move on and we were all glad to be underway.  

WEDNESDAY - We were now on our final leg heading South - on to Marathon.  Had a great run, all 3 boats sailing quite a bit of the way.  

S/V Sea Pearl

S/V Cool Runnings

S/V Cool Runnings crew

Still had the crab pots to contend with which doens't allow the helmsman much relaxation but the other boats who have both been this way before told us there were many more last time they were down this way. 

Got under the 7 Mile Bridge and the waves started to build.  We were in open ocean now and had to turn broadside to them.  Heading for Boot Key Harbor, I was worried about Molly as things were sloshing around down below.  I put her in her carrier and brought her into the cockpit.  I held her in her carrier and gimbled her, keeping her flat as the boat pitched back and forth.  She did NOT get sick, she was a trooper!  Stopped and took on fuel and water and went to try to find a spot to anchor which was NOT easy.  The mooring field and marinas are all full with waiting lists as deep as 50 boats.  After several attempts, we all got a hook down and relaxed a bit.  It had been a bit harrowing getting in and getting settled.  John and I dinghied over to Sea Pearl and hung out with them for a short time and next thing we knew it was time to go home and make dinner.  Haven't taken any pictures yet of the tons of boats here but did get a shot of a few interesting kayak configurations.  

About 8PM there was a knock on the hull and the voice was asking for the captain.  We met a man from the derelict-looking boat behind us who nicely informed us we were in a private mooring area and that we would have to move in the morning.  We had kind of planned on it already so no big deal but was this guy was interesting.  We noticed him as soon as we got there. He was hard to miss.  Dingys kept pulling up to his boat and leaving a short time later.  Don't know what he was selling, but something was sure happening over there.  And he ran his generator constantly.  Not a good thing.  He told us his name is Salty John and he was scraggly looking but very polite. Actually it was kind of fun listening to him.  

THURSDAY - We got up and moved immediately.  Took a while to rehook as we needed to get out of the channel and stay away from a sign post as we knew the wind were going to shift soon.  Got ourselves situated and then it was time for Cool Runnings' company to make their departure.  Gary had some dingy engine challenges so John and Steve ferried the group over to the marina.  

We were able to move up our vet appointment for Molly.  It was the first dinghy ride she had ever had.  

She did great both in the travel and at the doctor.  She needed to be seen by a vet per Bahamian regulation so $224 later we now have all the paperwork signed and she can offically go to the Bahamas.  And I think she actually liked the dingy ride too!

We all decided we had all cooked enough and headed in about 4:30 to Burgine's for a bite to eat.  The boys actually took a walk to West Marine 1st and the girls enjoyed the upstairs patio. 

We saw this cute little sailboat with a dog that matched the sail and enjoyed a beverage while waiting for the menfolk to join us.  Had great food and we were all tuckered out so crashed early.

FRIDAY - Good thing we went to bed early as our neighbors decided to run their genreator and play rock n'roll until about 1AM.  About 2AM the rains and wind came.  Winds shifted from SSW to N and cranked up to the upper 20's.  Things got pretty chaotic.  Boats were dragging anchor, running into each other, picking up and trying to reset - it was a zoo.  We were all on deck, engines running to reposition and stand watch.  Gary said he saw 30 knots on his wind gauge.  It was a looong night. Once it was light we knew we had to make a change.  We were just way too close to the other boats around us.  Apparently most of the other boats had out 2 anchors so we were swinging and they were not.  The captain of the party boat turns out his name is Seaweed, offered to help.  He got in his dink and took out a 2nd anchor for us.  He is also actually a really nice guy.  Who knows maybe tomorrow we will meet Captain Jack Sparrow at this rate.  

Gary and Judy got a week's pass to the City Marina for dingy access and he was nice enough to take me in to shore to do some business.  Molly has an ear infection and I needed to get her some ear wash and renew our FL boat registration.  The wind has laid down a bit now and I think we are all just looking forward to getting some sleep to recharge our "personal" batteries.  The wind has tamed to the point that we shouldn't drag tonight. Tomorrow I know at least 2 of us are going to reset.  Wish we had a mooring ball, then we wouldn't have to worry and would be so much better off.  Have to say that I have never personally been in an anchorage this big.  I think there is like 300+ mooring balls plus many other boats just anchored.  Going into the dinghy dock today was quite something.  

Bottom line is...it has been quite an adventure.  Weather was great coming down but think we are going to be here for the foreseeable future.  Have no doubt, El Nino is alive and well in Southern Florida.